Watson will return for Martin Luther King Pace

When Monticello Raceway presents its 8th annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Pace--a race featuring the talents of African American drivers--on Jan. 15, last year's champ, Dennis Watson, will be back for this year’s competition.

Last season the Lakewood, N.J., resident guided BJ’s Jetstream to a 2:02:2 victory in the annual Dr. King Memorial event and he’s chomping at the bit to return to the Mighty M for this year’s competition.

Watson  recently called the track publicity office and inquired about the date of the Martin Luther King Pace this year to which he was told that even though Jan. 19 is the national holiday, the race this season will be on Thursday, Jan. 15, Dr. King’s actual birthday. 

“Didn’t you think I was coming back again this year,” Watson said inquisitively. “Of course, I’ll be back. I’ve gotta defend my crown, don’t I?”

“We all had great time last season and it was a very competitive race. And of course, as the winner, I had the best time.”

But when the horses line up behind the starting gate for the race on Jan. 15  Watson will not be the only former champion back in action. Also slated to participate is longtime Monticello Raceway veteran Cedric Washington, a lifetime winner of 1,731 races, who not only won the inaugural Dr. King Pace in 2001 with Cran Meadow Kalie, but also copped the third edition two years later with longshot Fancy BG.

And Cedric’s dad, General “Bubba” Washington Jr., who won the race in 2005 with Jazz ZZ, will also have a mount in this year's edition. And slated to return is Donald Simmonds, who won the Dr. King Pace during the 2007 season.

According to Eric Warner, the track's director of racing, others interested in the event include Jim King Solomon, George Polk Jr, Orlando Green, George Newell Jr., James Ofarrow and Bobby “Boonie” Williams Jr.

“Outstanding trainer and expert horseman, George Teague, has always gone out of his way to be among the participants (in the Dr. King Pace) and we appreciate that he has,” Warner said, and then he added, “We know he’s very busy with a huge amount of horses down in Delaware, but he certainly is welcome if he wants to drive again. We always have room for George” (Monticello Raceway)

« Back